Labrador Retriever

Temperament:

Balanced, Aroused, Water-enthusiastic
Size: Medium
Height: 54-57 cm
Weight: 25-36 kg
Lifespan: 10-12 years
Coat: Shorthair
Colors: Black, Yellow, Liver, Chocolate Brown
FCI Group: Retrievers - Flushing Dogs - Water Dogs

Almost everyone knows the Labrador Retriever. Its friendly nature has made it one of the most popular dog breeds in recent years. These mostly calm dogs are the perfect companions for active families who like to be out and about. Anyone who has ever had a Labrador in their life will never want to be without this powerhouse again.

Labrador Retriever
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Characteristics

The Labrador Retriever has a beautiful, massive head with a large muzzle. The relatively broad top of the head, which is characteristic of this breed, is particularly striking. The brown eyes have an intelligent and friendly expression. The Labrador therefore has a real dog look.

The overall build of the Labrador is strong. Its neck is very broad. The chest is also deeply arched and imposing. A male Labrador should be approx. 56 - 57 cm tall and weigh approx. 32 kg. Females are somewhat smaller and lighter at 54-56 cm and 27 kg.

Labradors have a short coat with a pronounced undercoat. Due to its original use as a retrieving dog, the Labrador's undercoat is water-repellent. The Labrador is normally solid-colored. Only a small white patch on the chest is permitted in breeding. The colors of the Labrador are black, but lighter shades from brown to yellow are also permitted.

The Labrador has a large muzzle with large teeth. However, the Labrador is said to have a "soft" mouth. This means that it delivers its prey without resistance when hunting. Of course, this characteristic also applies when playing. The Labrador loves to play and romp around. He is especially keen to play fetch. He tirelessly brings back his toy.

He is a sporty companion. His attentive and good-natured nature makes him a good family dog. As an original hunting dog, he is a true sportsman and always in a good mood. In everyday life, he accompanies his family everywhere and is open to new acquaintances.

Due to its friendly nature, the Labrador is often used as a therapy or companion dog. It shines with its self-confident and people-friendly nature.

However, his past as a hunting dog must never be forgotten. You should therefore be aware of this and train your Labrador consistently. Good training is also important because of its exuberant character.

Labradors are almost always friendly and not aggressive. However, due to their strength and size, they are sometimes very clumsy when dealing with people and other dogs. As a Labrador owner, you therefore sometimes have to restrain your Labrador a little in order to protect others.

Most Labradors are very calm and relaxed in everyday life. But once the sporty dog gets going, there's no stopping it. In addition to physical exercise, the intelligent dog also wants to be challenged mentally. They learn quickly and willingly.

He also enjoys the recognition of his fellow human beings. Once he has built up a good relationship with his humans, he is easy to handle. The so-called "show" line, which was bred for exhibitions, can be somewhat stubborn.

Almost all Labradors love water and will jump into any puddle. They are generally very good and persistent swimmers, as their physique is almost perfect for this. Labradors can spend hours in the water. They particularly enjoy playing with their own kind or other dogs.

Coat care:

Little
Medium
Intensive

Shedding:

Little
Medium
Intensive

Energy level:

Little
Medium
High

Trainability:

Little
Medium
Good

Children suitable:

Less
With supervision
Perfect

The right food

Among dog breeds, the Labrador is considered a true glutton. Most Labradors are therefore happy with almost any food and rarely complain. This clever dog quickly learns to encourage its owners to feed it extensively. If you find it hard to resist the dog's gaze, you should practise a lot of discipline with your Labrador.

Labradors need fewer calories than other dogs.

When choosing food, make sure that it contains high-quality ingredients, is balanced and meets your dog's requirements. Age, size or weight, activity and health status play an important role here. You should follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the amount of food.

Treats should only be fed in moderation and deducted from the basic diet to avoid obesity.

Puppies can be fed 4-6 times a day. The number of meals should be gradually reduced to 2 per day until the dog is fully grown. A rest period should be observed after meals.

Fresh drinking water should be available at all times.

Health & Care

The Labrador's short, dense coat is water-repellent and should be shiny. The condition of the coat can also provide information about the quality of the food. A dull coat and dandruff can indicate a poor diet.

Unlike other dogs, the Labrador requires little grooming. However, if you want to get a Labrador, you should not be too sensitive. Labradors love to run through puddles because water is their element. The Labrador is not a lap dog and needs such adventures to be happy.

So you have to be able to live with the dog getting dirty from time to time. If your Labrador has had another muddy bath, you can rinse it off with clean water. Only in exceptional cases should you wash it with dog shampoo.

The Labrador's coat can be combed occasionally with a brush. This makes it easier to change the undercoat and prevents it from falling out in the home. Like other dogs with thick coats, Labradors also shed hair, especially in spring and fall. This should also be taken into account if you are interested in a Labrador.

Suitable accessories

You will need a suitable collar and a sturdy lead for your Labrador. In the initial phase, it can be beneficial to keep your Labrador on a harness to get him used to walking at heel. This will prevent the dog from pulling on the collar and injuring its spine. Once your Labrador has learned to walk on a lead without pulling, you can also walk him on a collar.

As a rule, a short, sturdy lead is sufficient to walk the dog. Many Labradors have a strong hunting instinct and can only run free to a limited extent. If you are not always able to retrieve your Labrador, you should practise this with a drag lead. The drag line should only be used with gloves on a strong Labrador. This will prevent injuries if the dog suddenly runs off. With lots of praise and motivation, most Labradors can quickly run free.

A useful accessory for the Labrador is a fetch toy, as he tends to fetch. These can be dummies or food pouches, which the dog usually likes to bring back diligently and use to exercise. Try out different toys with your Labrador. You will soon find out which games your dog particularly enjoys. These games can also be used as motivation for other exercises.

Other accessories that are part of every dog's basic equipment: dog basket or dog mat as a retreat, water and food bowl, tick tweezers, claw clippers, mild dog shampoo, brush and comb, toothbrush and toothpaste for the dog, transport box for transportation in the car and a first aid kit. It is best to ask your vet what belongs in the first aid kit.

Labrador Retriever History

Origin & History

The Labrador is native to the east coast of Canada, where it was also called St. John's Dog. The animals' task was to support the work of the fishermen. They retrieved drifting nets. This activity is still reflected today in the Labrador's love of water and diligence.

In the 19th century, the Labrador also became popular in England. There, it was mainly aristocratic hunters who used it and modified the dog through targeted breeding. The original St. John's Dog was probably crossed with the sporty pointer.

Although the Labrador is very well known today, it has only borne its name since 1970 and is therefore a relatively young dog breed. Its name is made up of its origin, the island of Labrador off Newfoundland, and the word "retrieve". This word describes the retrieving of a shot animal during a hunt. Like other retrievers, the Labrador was often used to track down hunted animals and bring them back to the hunter. The most important characteristic of these dogs was that they did not bite or even eat their prey.

The Labrador was often used for water hunting. Its good swimming ability and love of water were an advantage here. The Labrador was often taken along to hunt waterfowl. In addition to its love of water, the Labrador could also shine with another characteristic. The patient dog can wait by its handler's side for hours without losing its composure. Nevertheless, he is easy to motivate and enjoys working with his owner.

In recent decades, the Labrador has also become increasingly popular outside of hunting. Various breeding lines have developed. The "Field Trial" line is a breeding line with smaller and lighter Labradors that are used for hunting. The "Show" line is larger and stronger. This line has also proven itself as a family dog.

Today, the Labrador is not only valued as a companion and playmate. The intelligent breed is used in many areas. Labradors are guide dogs, rescue dogs and sniffer dogs. This is where the self-confident dogs shine with their agility and composure.